Irma's waves ravage Caribbean

Residents walk on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into it, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and ... more

Residents walk on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into it, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Residents walk on Havana's flooded sea wall as the ocean crashes into it, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed ... more

Residents walk on Havana's flooded sea wall as the ocean crashes into it, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Residents float down a flooded street in Havana atop a large piece of styrofoam, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed ... more

Residents float down a flooded street in Havana atop a large piece of styrofoam, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Residents float down a flooded street in Havana atop a large piece of styrofoam, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed ... more

Residents float down a flooded street in Havana atop a large piece of styrofoam, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Waves crash into El Morro after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline ... more

Waves crash into El Morro after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Waves crash into El Morro after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline ... more

Waves crash into El Morro after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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People walk through flooded streets in Havana after﻿ Hurricane Irma ﻿blew through Cuba, ﻿﻿ ﻿flooding hundreds of miles of coastline﻿. ﻿

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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People move through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles ... more

People move through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Cuban officials warned residents to watch for even more flooding over the next few days. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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People move through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles ... more

People move through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Cuban officials warned residents to watch for even more flooding over the next few days. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Damaged palm fronds lay on Baie Orientale beach, after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Saint Martin, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. Significant damage was reported on the island that is split between French and Dutch control. (AP Photo/Amandine Ascensio) less

Photo: Amandine Ascensio, STR

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Debris and wreckage litter the streets of La Baie residential, after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Saint Martin, on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, ... more

Debris and wreckage litter the streets of La Baie residential, after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Saint Martin, on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. Significant damage was reported on the island that is split between French and Dutch control. (AP Photo/Amandine Ascensio) less

Photo: Amandine Ascensio, STR

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Residents watch the ocean waves crash into the water front, after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded ... more

Residents watch the ocean waves crash into the water front, after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Cuban officials warned residents to watch for even more flooding over the next few days. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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A rescue team work a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles ... more

A rescue team work a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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A resident swims in a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles ... more

A resident swims in a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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People walk through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles ... more

People walk through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Cuban officials warned residents to watch for even more flooding over the next few days. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Residents walk on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into it, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and ... more

Residents walk on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into it, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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People move through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles ... more

People move through flooded streets in Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma, in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Cuban officials warned residents to watch for even more flooding over the next few days. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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A man walks on a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of ... more

A man walks on a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Members of a rescue team navigate a flooded street Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded ... more

Members of a rescue team navigate a flooded street Havana after the passage of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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A rescuer falls into a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of ... more

A rescuer falls into a flooded street in Havana, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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Residents walk on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into El Morro, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed ... more

Residents walk on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into El Morro, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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A young man floats a girl on a block of styrofoam through a flooded street in Havana, after the passage of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed ... more

A young man floats a girl on a block of styrofoam through a flooded street in Havana, after the passage of Hurricane Irma in Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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A man walks on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into el Morro light house, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, ... more

A man walks on Havana's sea wall as the ocean crashes into el Morro light house, after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline after cutting a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba, a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness, but authorities were trying to restore power and clear roads. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) less

Photo: Ramon Espinosa, STF

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In this undated photo provided on Sunday Sept. 10, 2017, by the British Ministry of Defence, some of the damage to The British Virgin Isles, seen from the air. The wild isolation that made St. Barts, St. ... more

In this undated photo provided on Sunday Sept. 10, 2017, by the British Ministry of Defence, some of the damage to The British Virgin Isles, seen from the air. The wild isolation that made St. Barts, St. Martin, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands vacation paradises has turned them into cutoff, chaotic nightmares in the wake of Hurricane Irma, which left 22 people dead, mostly in the Leeward Islands. (MOD via AP) less

Photo: HOGP

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﻿Cars ﻿wrecked by Hurricane Irma ﻿are strewn about the British Virgin Islands. The﻿ Caribbean paradise islands took the full force of Hurricane Irma when it was at its strongest.

Photo: HOGP

HAVANA - Powerful waves and storm surge from Hurricane Irma topped Havana's iconic Malecon seawall and left thousands of homes, businesses and hotels swamped Sunday, even as the storm moved away from the island.

Similar scenes played out across the Caribbean, where the storm devastated islands before setting its sights on Florida and relief workers passed out water in places like the U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Martin.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities in Cuba, where the government prides itself on preparedness and said it had evacuated more than 1 million people.

Authorities warned that the floodwaters could linger for more than a day, and there was as-yet uncalculated damage to sugarcane and banana fields in central Cuba and to northern cays studded with all-inclusive resorts, potentially dealing a major blow to the country's key tourism industry.

The storm ripped roofs off homes, collapsed buildings and caused floods along hundreds of miles of coast. Irma has killed at least 24 people in the region, leaving officials scrambling to bring aid to shattered communities.

In Havana, home to some 2 million residents, central neighborhoods along the coast suffered the brunt of the flooding.

Waves as high as 20 feet continued to pound Havana, and Civil Defense Col. Luis Angel Macareno warned that the flooding would persist into Monday.